TEMPE, AZ – Amtech Systems, Inc. ("Amtech") (NASDAQ: ASYS), a manufacturer of capital equipment, including thermal processing and wafer polishing, and related consumables used in fabricating semiconductor devices, such as silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon power, analog and discrete devices, and electronic assemblies and modules focusing on enabling technologies for electric vehicles (EV) and clean technology (CleanTech) applications, today announced that Michael Whang stepped down as Chief Executive Officer, effective August 8, 2023. The board has appointed Bob Daigle, current Chairman of the Board, with the additional role of Chief Executive Officer, effective August 8, 2023. To support the transition, Mr. Whang will remain as an advisor until February 8, 2024.

“I’d like to thank Michael for his service to Amtech over the past 19 years and for the last three years as Chief Executive Officer. Michael led during the challenging COVID period and positioned the Company well for the future. Amtech has tremendous growth opportunities driven by demand for Silicon Carbide (SiC) semiconductors required for the emerging electrical vehicle industry, the acceleration of advanced packaging to support the emerging artificial intelligence server market, and investments that will be made to build a more resilient global supply chain in the broader electronics industry. Our mission is to fully capitalize on these growth opportunities and deliver the profitability essential to creating shareholder value,” stated Bob Daigle, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Amtech Systems.

Mr. Daigle has served on the Amtech Board since August of 2021 and as Chairman of the Board since March of 2022. He served in various senior executive roles during his 30+ year tenure at Rogers Corporation. While at Rogers, Mr. Daigle built and led the High Frequency Circuit Materials business and the Power Electronics Solutions business. Mr. Daigle holds a B.S in Chemical Engineering and Materials Engineering from the University of Connecticut and an M.B.A. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

BILLINGSTAD, NORWAY – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has awarded Kitron a sub-contract for production of AN/ASQ-242 Integrated Communications, Navigation, and Identification (CNI) modules for the F-35 Lightning II-program. Deliveries will secure a backlog into 2025 and have a total value of more than USD 13 million.

Production will take place at Kitron’s plant in Norway.

The sub-contract relates to the Long-Term Supply Agreement announced on 21 September 2015 and 24 November 2016, and covers Lot 16 through Lot 17.

Northrop Grumman’s ICNI-system provides F-35-pilots with more than 27 fully integrated operational functions. Using its industry leading software-defined radio technology, Northrop Grumman’s design allows the simultaneous operation of multiple critical functions while greatly reducing size, weight, and power demands on the advanced F-35 fighter. These functions include Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), automatic acquisition of fly-to-points, and various voice and data communications such as the multifunction advanced data link.

Norway is one of the international partner countries participating in the F-35 program. Under a manufacturing license agreement between Kitron and Northrop Grumman, Kitron will manufacture sub-assemblies for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

HALFMOON, NY – PVA, a global supplier of automated dispensing and coating equipment, is excited to announce its participation in productronica India 2023, in collaboration with its distributor, Maxim. productronica India, the International Trade Fair for Electronics Development and Production, will take place Sept. 13-15, 2023 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) in Bengaluru, India.

PVA’s Asia Pacific Sales Manager Paul Kim will be in attendance to engage with industry professionals and to showcase the latest advancements in conformal coating and dispensing technology.

PVA offers flexible robotic conformal coating/dispensing systems that are ideal for selective coating, potting, bead, meter-mix dispensing applications, and more. With state-of-the-art valves, PVA ensures precise and consistent coating applications, offering an array of coating options to meet various requirements and specifications.

With PVA’s advanced dispensing and coating technology, electronics manufacturers can achieve superior protection for their PCBs, safeguarding them against environmental factors and ensuring reliable performance.

As a trusted innovator in precision application solutions, PVA is committed to providing cutting-edge technologies that enhance production processes and drive efficiency in various industries.

For more information about PVA, please contact PVA at info@pva.net or (518) 371-2684.

CLINTON, NY – The upcoming SMTA High Reliability Cleaning and Conformal Coating Conference, taking place August 29-31 in Dallas, Texas, U.S., will feature presentations by two Indium Corporation experts. Both presentations will take place on August 31.

First, Global Head of e-Mobility and Infrastructure Brian O’Leary will participate in a keynote panel presentation titled Strengthening e-Mobility Infrastructure: Overcoming High-Voltage and Environmental Challenges.

The recently introduced U.S. standard requiring 97% up-time performance, combined with the global expectations of consumers and fleet operators for robust and durable EV infrastructure capable of withstanding harsh outdoor conditions, is driving manufacturers to develop weather-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and outdoor-friendly solutions with advanced features. This technical presentation will explore the critical elements of producing e-Mobility modules and the difficulties in maintaining reliability and durability under high voltage, current, and temperatures in electric vehicles and charging stations.

Later in the afternoon, Technical Support Engineer Matt Gruber will deliver a presentation titled A Sustainability Look at a Reliable Low-Temp Process.

Reducing energy consumption is of increasing interest in SMT assembly industries for both cost and sustainability initiatives. However, despite new demands on manufacturers, reliability expectations remain and, in many sectors such as Healthcare and Automotive, have increased. Gruber will examine the energy-saving potential of compounding reflow and cleaning process modifications in circuit board manufacturing. He will also evaluate the assemblies for surface insulation resistance (SIR) and ionic contamination with the goal of providing manufacturers with confidence and guidelines for low-temperature soldering and cleaning implementation.

O’Leary is responsible for promoting Indium Corporation’s full range of products and services for e-Mobility, which includes electric cars, trucks, eVTOLs, charging stations, and battery energy storage systems. He joined Indium Corporation in 2014 and has more than 20 years of experience in the electronics industry. He authored two books on electronics manufacturing and currently serves as the chair of the IPC e-Mobility Quality & Reliability Advisory Council. In addition to regular technical conference participation, O’Leary co-hosts a free monthly webcast—EV InSIDER Live—with Loren McDonald of EVAdoption and a high-profile industry stakeholder as a guest. In the webcast, they discuss current pressing issues and hot topics in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle landscape.

Gruber is responsible for providing technical assistance to resolve soldering process-related issues. This includes assisting customers with optimizing their use of Indium Corporation’s soldering materials, as well as providing product and process training to current and potential customers. With more than 30 years of experience as a Manufacturing Engineer, he is a subject matter expert for solder integrity, root cause analysis, and problem resolution. Gruber attended the University of Texas at Dallas where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He is a Certified IPC Specialist, and a Certified SMT Process Engineer (CMTPE).